Yahoo! Games

Chris Wesseling

Breaking News

Get the 2012 Draft Guide!

Training camps are wrapping up, which usually signals the onslaught of fantasy football drafts online and in basements, sports bars and board rooms around the world.

Let the 2012 Draft Guide be your secret weapon as you finalize your strategy -- in your version of an evil lair secreted in a hollowed-out volcano somewhere in the Pacific -- to dominate your fantasy league.

2011: Green's athleticism, ball skills, and vertical tools were as advertised as a rookie. He posted at least 80 yards and/or a score in 11 of his first 13 games, missing one with a hyperextended knee. Green finished slow while battling a right shoulder separation, averaging 54.4 yards receiving per game in Cincinnati's final five contests. Andy Dalton's late-season swoon surely had an impact. Green is the clear-cut go-to option in his offense, and he's already shown the ability to beat double teams. There is some feeling that only Calvin Johnson has more talent at the position across the league.

What Changed: Dalton enjoyed an offseason after a lockout-affected rookie year. The Bengals ditched Jerome Simpson and will turn to some mix of Armon Binns, slot guy Jordan Shipley, and rookie Mohamed Sanu across the formation. Jermaine Gresham has flashed ability at tight end, but Cincinnati is short on playmakers aside from Green. The offensive line remains very strong.

Outlook: We like Green as a top-five fantasy receiver, but he'll need Dalton to play better and the Bengals to throw more to approach top-three status. He's still a strong second-round fantasy pick.

August 16 Update:A.J. Green caught two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons in the Bengals' second preseason game. In a promising sign for their respective fantasy values, Andy Dalton showed a marked penchant for throwing the ball up for grabs in Green's direction when flushed from the pocket. After Asante Samuel showed nice ball skills in knocking one pass away, Green put a textbook double-move on the Pro Bowl corner for a beautiful 55-yard score. Rotoworld ranks Green as a top-six fantasy receiver for 2012.

Training camps are wrapping up, which usually signals the onslaught of fantasy football drafts online and in basements, sports bars and board rooms around the world.

Let the 2012 Draft Guide be your secret weapon as you finalize your strategy -- in your version of an evil lair secreted in a hollowed-out volcano somewhere in the Pacific -- to dominate your fantasy league.

2011: Green's athleticism, ball skills, and vertical tools were as advertised as a rookie. He posted at least 80 yards and/or a score in 11 of his first 13 games, missing one with a hyperextended knee. Green finished slow while battling a right shoulder separation, averaging 54.4 yards receiving per game in Cincinnati's final five contests. Andy Dalton's late-season swoon surely had an impact. Green is the clear-cut go-to option in his offense, and he's already shown the ability to beat double teams. There is some feeling that only Calvin Johnson has more talent at the position across the league.

What Changed: Dalton enjoyed an offseason after a lockout-affected rookie year. The Bengals ditched Jerome Simpson and will turn to some mix of Armon Binns, slot guy Jordan Shipley, and rookie Mohamed Sanu across the formation. Jermaine Gresham has flashed ability at tight end, but Cincinnati is short on playmakers aside from Green. The offensive line remains very strong.

Outlook: We like Green as a top-five fantasy receiver, but he'll need Dalton to play better and the Bengals to throw more to approach top-three status. He's still a strong second-round fantasy pick.

August 16 Update:A.J. Green caught two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons in the Bengals' second preseason game. In a promising sign for their respective fantasy values, Andy Dalton showed a marked penchant for throwing the ball up for grabs in Green's direction when flushed from the pocket. After Asante Samuel showed nice ball skills in knocking one pass away, Green put a textbook double-move on the Pro Bowl corner for a beautiful 55-yard score. Rotoworld ranks Green as a top-six fantasy receiver for 2012.

Chris Wesseling is a senior football editor and Dynasty league analyst for Rotoworld.com. The 2011 NFL season marks his fifth year with Rotoworld and his third year contributing to NBCSports.com. He can be found on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.Email :Chris Wesseling